Motion controller
Kinco AK (AK8 / AK840) motion controller
Slim 54 mm EtherCAT motion controller programmed in CODESYS, running up to 32 synchronised axes on a 1 ms cycle with RP20 I/O expansion.
Key specifications
| Axes max | 32 |
|---|---|
| Io onboard | 8 DI / 8 DO |
| Io max | 256 |
| Comms | EtherCAT, dual network ports |
| Programming | CODESYS, IEC 61131-3 |
| Cycle ms | 1 |
| Width | 54 |
Series ranges as published; individual models vary. The full datasheet, drawings and CAD models are available on request.
Kinco AK (AK8 / AK840) model codes
Published model codes in the AK (AK8 / AK840) range. Search this page for your part number, or send it to us for availability, pricing and lead time.
| Model code |
|---|
| AK8 |
| AK840 |
Options
- RP20 remote I/O (up to 16 modules)
- AK840 model
Typical applications
What a motion controller is
A motion controller plans and coordinates movement for one or more axes, sending position, velocity or torque commands to servo or stepper drives. It generates trajectories with defined acceleration and jerk, synchronises axes for interpolation, electronic gearing and camming, and handles homing, limits and registration inputs. Commands reach drives over pulse, analogue or, most commonly now, EtherCAT and other real-time networks. Many controllers also include PLC functions to IEC 61131-3, combining logic and motion.
When engineers choose a motion controller
Choose a dedicated motion controller when a machine needs coordinated multi-axis motion beyond basic point-to-point moves, such as robots, gantries, packaging and CNC. It gives deterministic timing and motion libraries. The trade-offs are cost, programming effort and ecosystem lock-in. For simple machines with a few independent axes, a PLC with motion function blocks or intelligent drives with stored moves may be enough.
How to specify the Kinco AK (AK8 / AK840)
Send these with your enquiry and an engineer can confirm the right AK (AK8 / AK840) variant:
- Number of axes and drives
- Network and cycle time (ms)
- Motion functions: interpolation, camming, robotics
- Programming environment and languages
- I/O and expansion
- HMI and connectivity
- Safety integration
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a controller that does not support the drives' network
- Underestimating cycle time needs for many axes
- Ignoring programming tools and skills in the team
- Not planning for future axis count
Kinco AK (AK8 / AK840): frequently asked questions
What is the Kinco AK (AK8 / AK840)?
Slim 54 mm EtherCAT motion controller programmed in CODESYS, running up to 32 synchronised axes on a 1 ms cycle with RP20 I/O expansion. It is available through our supply network, and our engineers can confirm the right variant for your application.
Who makes the Kinco AK (AK8 / AK840)?
The Kinco AK (AK8 / AK840) is made by Kinco (Kinco Automation) available through our supply network. Send us your requirement for pricing, lead time, datasheets and CAD.
What model codes are in the Kinco AK (AK8 / AK840) range?
The AK (AK8 / AK840) range includes AK8, AK840. The table on this page lists each published model code with its key figures. Send us the code you use, or the one you need to replace, and our engineers will confirm availability, lead time or the closest equivalent.
What is the difference between a motion controller and a PLC?
A PLC handles machine logic, sequencing and I/O. A motion controller specialises in trajectory planning and coordinating axes. Many modern controllers combine both, running PLC logic and motion libraries on one CPU. Choose based on axis count, motion complexity and timing requirements.
Why is EtherCAT common for motion control?
EtherCAT offers short cycle times, precise synchronisation using distributed clocks and simple cabling, which suit coordinated multi-axis motion. Many drives and I/O devices support it. Other real-time networks such as PROFINET IRT and Sercos are also used, so check what the drives and controller support.
Further reading: How to select a motion controller or plc · Controllers and PLCs
Often compared with
Engineers specifying this series often compare it with:
Other motion controller series
Spec builder
Configure Kinco AK (AK8 / AK840)
Select every part you need, answer the questions an applications engineer would ask, and see your summary before we ask for any details.
- 1Products
- 2Performance
- 3Environment
- 4Volumes
- 5Your spec
Engineer support
Need Kinco AK (AK8 / AK840) or a complete system around it?
Tell us what you need, whether it is this part, an equivalent or a complete axis built around it. An engineer will review your requirements and reply, normally within one working day.
- Reviewed by an engineer, not an autoresponder
- Like-for-like and better-fit alternatives
- Standard, modified and custom options
Prefer to configure it? Use the spec builder.